Sammy Baugh
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Samuel Adrian Baugh (b. March 17, 1914) is an American football player born in Temple, Texas. Baugh began playing football as a schoolboy in Sweetwater, Texas in the 1920s.
Baugh matriculated to Texas Christian University after high school. At TCU, he was an All-American. He finished fourth in voting for the Heisman Trophy in 1936.
After graduation, Baugh was widely sought after. He was signed by the Washington Redskins. As a rookie, Baugh led the NFL in passing while leading the Redskins to the NFL championship.
Baugh stayed with Washington through the 1952 season playing in a then-record 16 seasons. He led the NFL in passing in six seasons, punting average four times, and interceptions once. He is the only player to lead the league in an offensive, defensive, and special teams category.
"Slingin' Sammy" was considered the finest punter of his time. His average of 45.1 yards per punt remains a league record. He also held most of the league passing records at the time of his retirement although they have since been broken.
His career ledger shows 1695 completions on 2995 attempts. He threw for 21,886 yards and 187 touchdowns. Baugh rushed for 9 touchdowns.
After his playing career, Baugh became a coach. He coached at Hardin-Simmons University from 1955 to 1959. Then he was the first coach of the New York Titans of the American Football League. Baugh's collegiate record was 23-28. He went 14-14 as coach of the Titans.
Baugh is the last living charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Additionally he has been honored by the Redskins with the retirement of his jersey #33.
Additional Honors:
- An avenue in his hometown of Rotan, Texas
- 50th Anniversary Team by the NFL (1969)
- 75th Anniversary Team by the NFL (1994)
- 36th greatest athlete of the 20th century by Burt Randolph Sugar (1995)
- 64th greatest athlete of the 20th century by ESPN (1999)
- 43rd greatest athlete of the 20th century by the Associated Press (1999)
- 3rd greatest NFL player of the 20th century by the Associated Press (1999)
- 11th greatest NFL player of the 20th century by The Sporting News (1999)
- Scripps-Howard all-time college football team (1999)
- 4th greatest college football player by Sport Magazine (1999)
- 3rd greatest college football player by College Football News (2003)